tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954081165153280225.post411287641774082265..comments2024-03-20T04:12:43.360-06:00Comments on Utah Birders | Birding Blog, Utah Birds, Utah Birding, Utah Bird ID: BRCs vs. eBird—Apples and Oranges?Utah Birdershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469804211127586442noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954081165153280225.post-40443764164865946962011-01-11T08:51:11.868-07:002011-01-11T08:51:11.868-07:00I think a records committee has great potential on...I think a records committee has great potential on a state by state basis. In my opinion there is GREAT value to having an organization that represents a state for birding. In my mind this would be an organization that makes it their goal to manage the state list, work with ebird data and other sources of data to make a comprehensive and complete database (as much as can be achieved), has standards and definitions of what it takes to offer the "burden of proof" on a rare bird sighting (working with ebird here makes sense as well for consistency), has a committee that is elected by the "birding public", and proactively works to meet all of the aforementioned goals through efficient communication and interfaces with the public. I think it makes great sense to have this sort of organization on a state level. It would be an awful lot to ask one person to do all of this and if that person is working for ebird it may be over a multiple state level. This is how I feel about this and while I haven't been a big user of the records committee in the past, I do see both a need and a potential for great things from one now and in the future.Jeff Bilskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07199603530458104324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954081165153280225.post-60204415872458121182011-01-10T20:49:41.835-07:002011-01-10T20:49:41.835-07:00One more thing. What those sightings add to eBird...One more thing. What those sightings add to eBird is far more important to ME, then the information provided to the committee is to me. I have no interest or investment in the committee. With eBird I see my sightings actually being put towards something worth while and meaningful that I and other can use for any number of things.<br /><br />Lastly, everything that you mentioned the BRCs as being interested in eBird is also interested in. The data that eBird collects is down to the single location up to the entire world. Within that data is all that information, and depending on how the USER decides to use it they can study information at the state level, at the rarity level, etc.<br /><br />I understand the differences and see how both work, I personally just don't see the need for records committees going forward.Tim Averyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17632013488170310609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954081165153280225.post-88917043203001185402011-01-10T20:42:03.795-07:002011-01-10T20:42:03.795-07:00Ryan,
Great post and detailed information talking...Ryan,<br /><br />Great post and detailed information talking about the specific goals of each area. However, I do disagree that the records committee is the best to create an "accurate and vetted list of the species seen in your state". This is only because this is how it has been. eBird is quickly catching up in the checklist game, and will soon surpass what the checklist that the committee votes on. <br /><br />Again, it's all in how people want to perceive the records the committee accepts or rejects. From looking at the current Utah checklist there are certainly some questionable records that have managed to be accepted and placed on the list. At the same time there are some holes from records that have been rejected, that seem to be questionable as being rejected.<br /><br />It really is an opinion issue, and there are at least 4 schools of thought as I mentioned earlier: either, or, neither, both.<br /><br />As for what I would submit, there really isn't anything I would, whether 1st, 2nd, or 3rd state records--in the committees books. The committee doesn't validate or invalidate my sightings one way or another, they just are what they are--sightings for my enjoyment.<br /><br />Cheers<br />TimTim Averyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17632013488170310609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954081165153280225.post-59451981720824998442011-01-10T20:37:55.732-07:002011-01-10T20:37:55.732-07:00Wow! A very well written and logical rebuttal. N...Wow! A very well written and logical rebuttal. Nice.Birding is Fun!https://www.blogger.com/profile/11836693921863185316noreply@blogger.com